These recordings are available publicly from a retreat held in person at Big Bear Retreat Center. Learn more about the center and upcoming offerings for retreats in nature, gathered in community.
www.bigbearretreatcenter.org/upcoming-retreats/

Awakening Mindfulness and Compassion
Diana Winston, Leslie Booker, Vadan Ritter
September 2025

Cultivate the wisdom and compassion we need to carry forward into our lives. Join us for a five-night silent retreat in the beautiful natural setting of Big Bear Retreat Center, only two hours from Los Angeles. We will spend our days deepening our meditation practice in the service of cultivating wisdom and compassion that we need in our lives.  As we settle our minds, supported by nature, we can see ourselves and the world with deeper clarity and allow our inner wisdom to emerge.


04 October 1, 2025 Morning Instruction - Diana Winston

02 September 30, 2025 Is it Okay to Be Aware of Just This - Diana Winstom

In this Awake in the World podcast episode, Michael references the Middle-Length Discourses of the Buddha, reads a koan from The Book of Serenity, and explores how Buddhist practice is radically simple and relates to the whole of our lives.

Recorded April 26, 2010.
Photo by Andréa de Keijzer, New York City

The Awake in the World podcast is brought to you by the generosity of our amazing Patreon supporters, making it possible for us to keep Michael's archive of teachings available to the public. To become a patron, visit: patreon.com/michaelstone.

Best of Awake in the World: Radically Simple

Vinny Ferraro • Relative & Ultimate Reality • Nov. 7, 2025 • In-Person

Annual Poetry Evening. Erin Robinsong, Sarah Selecky, Michael Stone read from their favourite poems. A wonderful evening of words to support practice. Recorded Nov. 30, 2010.

Image of Waves & Water: A Collection of Poems by Michael Stone.
Photo by Andréa de Keijzer.

The Awake in the World podcast is brought to you by the generosity of our amazing Patreon supporters, making it possible for us to keep Michael's archive of teachings available to the public. To become a patron, visit: patreon.com/michaelstone.

Best of Awake in the World: Make This Country Safe For Poetry!

Jonathan Prescott provides context for the Anacortes Mindfulness Community's deep dive into Thich Nhat Hanh’s book, The Heart of the Buddha’s Teaching.

He offers historical background about the Buddha's life and teachings, and show us how the heart of these teachings arise not only from the historical Buddha, but also from our own Buddha Nature.

Heart of the Buddha's Teaching

Jonathan Prescott talks about practicing deep gratitude during his visit to the Guemes Island Community Church. He uses Zen stories to show how we can be grateful not only for getting what we want, but also for noticing the unnoticed, and for getting what we don't want. The deepest layer of gratitude is when we learn to be grateful not just for 'things' but for our relationship to life as it is.

Four Layers of Gratitude

29 June 2025 - Moving Beyond Fear Fear of Death

8 June 2025 - Moving Beyond Fear A Home for the Mind

6 July 2025 - Finding Dhamma

Nestled within hundreds of acres of ancient Juniper and Pine woodlands, the local flora and fauna easily encourage participants to remember and realign with their own true nature. Only 2 hours from Los Angeles, we are a residential retreat center space of respite and calm. Guests are welcomed to slow down and embrace connection with self, others and nature.

Awake in the World Podcast is a library of talks on a wide-range of topics, including bringing mindfulness and meditation practice into daily life; personal and community issues regarding mental health; and social change. The podcasts were recorded at live events so you might hear coughing, airplanes, cars, sirens, laughter, and peoples’ questions—all part of the intimate experience. Michael Stone (1974-2017) was a Buddhist teacher, author, and mental health advocate. His legacy is stewarded by Carina Stone. Podcast funded by Patreon (patreon.com/michaelstone).

Big Heart City is a San Francisco-Based meditation group. An open-hearted and welcoming community, we aim to offer a safe and authentic spiritual home for those interested in inclining their hearts and minds towards love and wisdom.

Peter Doobinin teaches the dharma - the Buddha's path of wisdom and compassion.   Peter is the author of the dharma books, Skillful Pleasure and The Skill of Living, and the novels, Daylight Saving Time, and Suburban Boy.  His writing has appeared in the anthology Commit to Sit; Tricycle; The New York Times, and other publications.   After working in the publishing industry for more than twenty years, Peter left in 1998 to pursue less worldly interests. He has been teaching insight meditation for more than 25 years. These days he is the guiding teacher of New York Dharma.  He is founder of New York Insight Meditation Center, Downtown Meditation Community, and Berlin Dharma.  Through the years he’s taught at many venues, including the New York City public schools.

Dharma talks presented by Wise Caregiving teachers Jonathan Prescott, Michael Melancon, and Karla Johnston.

New tracks tagged #Dharma talk